Published 8:00 pm, Wednesday, October 3, 2007

They were returning from breakfast after learning their school was closed for the day because of a water main break.

The teens' Subaru was traveling north on East Street when it clipped the back portion of a boat being towed by another vehicle, which was turning into a parking lot. The car slid across the road's center line and struck a southbound utility truck, Angiolillo said.

Witnesses told police that the teens' car was speeding, although its speed and other factors in the crash remained under investigation Thursday.

Angiolillo said about 150 teenagers stopped by the crash scene Thursday morning, lining up at the police tape. Grief counseling was being offered at Wolcott's town hall.

"A lot of kids are obviously very upset," he said.

Police were not yet sure early Thursday whether any of the teens' friends were in vehicles nearby and witnessed the crash. The utility truck's driver had minor injuries.

Messages were left for the town's mayor and school superintendent. The high school principal referred questions to the central office.

Wolcott, which has slightly over 15,000 people, borders Waterbury and is about 30 miles southwest of Hartford. State Sen. Sam Caligiuri, whose district includes the town, described it as a close-knit community.

"My heart is broken for these kids and for their families," he said. "It's one of those places where everyone knows each other and families in many cases go back many generations. I know this is going to hit the town of Wolcott very, very hard."

State Rep. John "Corky" Mazurek, D-Wolcott, lives near Wolcott High and said he was leaving for work as students were being dismissed because of the water problem.

"I'm sure they were looking forward to a day off from school and a tragedy like this happens," he said. "It's just so unfortunate and devastating for the families and for the kids that knew them and associated with them."